Maintenance
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      Filament Maker Maintenance Guide

      Make sure you follow these steps to keep your Filament Maker in good condition. This is one of the keys to achieving a good filament quality.

      1. Always have these resources ready

      We strongly recommend that you always have access to the following resources when using the Filament Maker. This way you will be prepared for any planned extrusions and unplanned incidents.

      1.a Tools

      • Pliers: manipulate filament (very useful when it wraps around the puller wheel)
      • Cutters: cut filament
      • Tweezers: remove plastic from the nozzle/knee (very useful when changing the nozzle)
      • Thermal glove: manipulate filament or touch the nozzle
      • Cutproof gloves: manipulate glass-wool insulation (when changing the nozzle)
      • 13mm and 19mm wrench: when changing the nozzle

      1.b Spare parts

      1.c Consumables

      • DevoClean MidTemp: 3-5kg is a reasonable amount to have on hand, knowing that 300g are consumed each session on average.
      • DevoClean HighTemp:
        • Have 5kg if you regularly process high temperature materials (PEEK,...), since DevoClean HighTemp will be used to clean the machine after every session.
        • Have 1kg if you only process low temperature materials (PLA, PET,... below 300°C), since it is only used to clean the machine after high level purges.
      • 3devo's standard PLA: Have at least 3kg to run Quality Checks.

      1.d This handy link

      • This very useful link covers almost all extrusion issues you might face. Finding a quick answer and acting immediately is the best way to go, since certain extrusion issues can clog the extruder irreversibly once the material solidifies.

      2. Daily maintenance

      These steps must be followed every single time you use the Filament Maker.

      1. Start: Datalog https://support.3devo.com/devovision-guide/

       

      Caution!
      Any data that is not logged is lost forever.

      Warning!
      Because launching a datalog resets the Filament Maker, please always start a datalog before heating up the machine - not in the middle of a run.

       

      2. Middle: Keep an eye out for extrusion issues

       

      3. End:
        Purge
        • Purging your Filament Maker
        • If your working temperatures are within 180-300°C,
          then only a Devoclean MidTemp purge is required.
        • If your working temperatures are above 300°C,
          you will need to run a Devoclean HighTemp purge, followed by a cooldown to 300°C (without stopping the flow!), followed by a Devoclean MidTemp purge.
         

      3. Whenever something goes wrong

      • Change the nozzle if you notice it is clogged or damaged.
      • Change the puller wheel if you notice it is grooved/damaged (see just below).
      • Perform a high level purge when you observe a very disturbed or weak extrusion flow.
        • If your working temperatures are within 180-300°C, then a high level purge is:
          1. Purge with Devoclean MidTemp.
          2. Heat up to 300°C.
          3. Purge with Devoclean HighTemp (300-500g usually).
          4. Purge with Devoclean MidTemp.
          5. Switch off. 
        • If your working temperatures are above 300°C, then a high level purge is:
          1. Purge with Devoclean HighTemp.
          2. Cooldown to 300°C.
          3. Purge with Devoclean MidTemp.
          4. Switch off.
        • Either way, a high level purge should be followed by a PLA Quality Check.

      4. Monthly: PLA Quality Check

      Whether you have just performed a high level purge after an extrusion incident, or you have been experimenting for a month without any major issues, it is recommend to check the performance of the Filament Maker regularly. Please consult our dedicated Quality Check article.